May 20, 2023 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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1. 5 Western Oklahoma Since 1901 < ay'ct, First bike out @ 12pm Last bike in @ 4pm = ‘Ashen Franklin was Ist Stop: Ackley Park- Elk City ally ectrocuted andcritic Aiud Stop: Friends - Canute on‘the job asa vumed while ineman apprentice. She ha s Birr) Stop: \weky Star Casino - Hamme nsive avery long and exte Uv Stop: Ackley Park - Elk Gi ea d of her. ho ital stay ab Tisprocends pornre and al ot dedicated to rider XC her recovery. fassenger Broke Misfits Brotherhood Bike Ride By Sheryl Ponce person has a special role to play, and no roll is as small as you for Ashlen Coming might think. It is going to have a huge impact on the story. Ev- Mother's Day, May 14th, was a day of celebration for moth- eryone in this room has had an incredible impact on each person By Sheryl Ponce ers and the seniors at Elk City High School. Although the day that they've interacted with, whether they believe this or not. seemed to be one celebrating mothers, it was also the day that We've all experienced lost friendships, heartbreak, and the stress Ashlen Franklin was electrocuted and critically burned seniors turned into alumni. The graduation ceremony started at that comes with balancing our schoolwork, extracurriculars, and while on the job as a lineman apprentice. She was in ICU 4 p.m. with the processional, played by Ms. Lori Daubenspeck, social lives. But we've also experienced the unexpected friend- for 19 days, 30 days in the progressive burn unit, and has and followed by presentation of diploma to Carl Miller's family. ships that we've made, those that we can’t remember how life had 13 surgeries. She is healing, but still faces rehabilitation Stephanie Miller spoke on behalf of the young man who lost was without them as a friend. We've grown to have lasting mem- and procedures. Her friends with Broke Misfits Brotherhood. his life in Vietnam in 1968. She read a letter from her family, “He ories of our peers, teachers, and faculty. We have grown our- have put together a benefit bike ride to help with Franklin's was a brother, a friend, and a big part of the school community. selves, learning how to balance school, extracurriculars, and our expenses. He was unable to receive his diploma because he sacrificed his social lives. Now, this chapter of our lives is finally concluded,” Kevin Eslinger, Bryron McCrary, Jessie Osborne, Jordan life while his was defending our country in order to keep us safe.” Galeener began. Salinas, and Corey MacIntyre are working together to put on After the audience stood to honor him, the ceremony contin- He encouraged his classmates to enjoy every second of their the Ride for Ashlen event on May 27th. The first ride out will ued with salutatorian Austin Jones’ word of encouragement to time, “Do not sit on the wall waiting for your favorite song to be ‘start at noon, and the last ride at 4 p.m. his fellow classmates. played. Instead, take charge of the dance floor and the opportu- The first stop will take place at Ackley Park, the second stop “{ realized that no matter how busy you get, it is important nity you will find amongst the crowd.” at Friends in Canute, the third stop is at Lucky Star Casino to take a break and find joy in everything you do... Even through Galeener added by telling everyone to live their lives, and not in Hammon, and the fourth stop will be in Ackley Park again. the most difficult times, there’s joy that can be found,” Jones spend time trying to please others. ‘The cost is $25 per rider and $10 per passenger. said. “At the end of the day. You have to live with it. Do not be There will be food served for $5 per plate and kids will eat ‘Then, members of the ECHS Ensemble stepped forward sing- afraid to chase your dreams. No one wants to look back on their free. They will have inflatables, an auction, and a car/truck/ ing “I Lived.” They were followed by Senior Class President, Cam- life and say I regret not being able to live the life I was supposed bike show. For entries contact Broke Misfit Brotherhood don Galeener’s address to his classmates. In his speech, he spoke to live because of fear. Fear of rejection, fear of success, or fear Facebook page or contact MacIntyre at 580-339-2545. Go to of the accomplishments that members of the class have made. of failure, I'd much rather say it took a couple of tries but love Windy Nissan to purchase tickets for the motorcycle raffle. “Ms. Daubenspeck always used to remind us ofa commonly known fact in theater, there is no role that is insignificant. Each See Graduates 8. See Ride page 2. Commissioners Pay Off $2 Million Park Activities Elementary School Note By Sheryl Ponce ment Contract FMRC C-106/GNBC C-121 between the Elk City Industrial Authority and Farmrail Corporation and Grainbelt ‘The Elk City Commissioners met for their regular meeting Corporation to transport aggregates from Martin Marietta Ma- Wed., May 16th, at 2 p.m. in City Hall with all commissioners terials quarry to Elk City Rock Yard. This is a two-year agreement present. Mayor Corey Spieker opened the meeting with an invo- that Ivester recommended for approval. cation, which was followed by the flag salute led by Rod Carver. ‘The commissioners approved Change Order No. 1 for Orr Con- ‘The first order of business was the approval of the minutes from struction for the Main Street Waterline and Storm Sewer Project the May 1st meeting. in the amount of $88,150. A representative from Orr was present Item number one on the agenda was the introduction of Ordi- to explain the reasoning behind the change, and City Treasurer nance No. 1251: An Ordinance of the City of Elk City, amending Jennifer Rainey said that there will be a negative change order the Elk City Code of Ordinances; Chapter 3. Animal, Article 1. coming that will off-set this increase. General Provisions, Section 3-9. Dogs/Cats/ Ferrets/Etc.; Rabies ‘The Pay App #3 for Orr Construction for the Main Street Vaccination, License, Fee Paragraph 10 adding Paragraph 11. Ac- Waterline and Storm Sewer Plan project in the amount of cording to City Manager Tom Ivester the ordinance will solve a $268,382.79, a budgeted item, was approved. Also approved problem with an animal that comes into animal control that is vi- was the Pay Application #13 to Joe D. Hall General Contractors, cious and requires a mandatory quarantine. This will up the fines LLC for the CAPP project - Aquatic Center in the amount of for the mandatory quarantine, but not for other offenses. The $579,754.75, a budgeted item. ordinance will distinguish between the offenses. No action was ‘The payoff for the Elementary School note with the Bank of Oklahoma in the amount of $2,321,509.34 was approved. This taken because it was introduced at this meeting. ‘The next item on the agenda was to approve Ordinance No. payoff led the way to the half cent sales tax continuation for re- 1252: An Ordnance changing the zoning classification of a tract model and improvements for the police and fire stations. of land situated in Block 13, Herring Addition, Beckham County, ‘The next four items on the agenda were dealing with dilapi- dated structures. The first one, located at 1402/1406 S. Simp- Elk City from R-1, Single Family Residential District to A-1, Agri- son was approved as dilapidated and ordered to be removed. The cultural District. This ordinance was introduced at the last meet- owner was not present at the meeting, and city inspector Jackie ing and was supported by the Planning and Zoning Commission. ‘The commissioners approved the change. ‘They also approved the Joint Railroad Freight Service Agree- See Commission page 2. See photos page 2. Weather Vol. 120, No. 39 Mail delivery View online ¢ IAM , tomorrow / 56 75 cents, 8 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com